Prince Harry arrives in South Africa for solo trip without Meghanlvisit

Prince Harry arrives in South Africa for solo trip without Meghan after whistlestop UK visit
The Duke of Sussex is in South Africa for a week-long solo tour for his charity Sentebale. The country holds a special place to Harry as he called it a ‘home away from home’

Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho
Prince Harry is in South Africa for a week-long solo trip for his charity Sentebale.

Prince Harry has arrived in South Africa for his solo trip without Meghan Markle. It comes just days after the Duke of Sussex’s brief visit to the UK for a charity event, which did not involve a family reunion with his father King Charles and brother Prince William.

The duke has already been away from his wife Meghan and their two children, Prince Archie, five, and Princess Lilibet, three, for more than a week and he’s now in the midst of another solo tour. The 40 year old royal has touched down in South Africa, having flown from the UK, after attending the WellChild awards ceremony in London, for his role as the charity’s patron, a position he has held for more than 15 years.

The Duke of Sussex was reunited with his close friend and co-founder of their charity Sentebale (Image: Getty Images for Sentebale)
Continuing his notable work, Harry is now spending a week visiting Lesotho and South Africa to attend various events in support of his charity Sentebale. Harry co-founded Sentebale, which means “forget-me-not” in Sesotho, with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho in 2006 and is in memory of their mothers.

The charity was launched to provide children and young people with holistic care who are affected by HIV and AIDS. Harry was reunited with his close friend and co-founder Prince Seeiso of Lesotho during his first stop in the landlocked nation encircled by South Africa as they attended a welcome event at Sentebale’s Mamohato Children’s Centre.

Harry looked relaxed as he walked alongside Seeiso during the start of his tour before greeting everyone with a warm smile. This is the duke’s first visit to Lesotho since 2018, with Meghan not expected to join him.

Lesotho holds a special place in Harry’s heart as it was where he spent two months during his gap year in 2004 when he was just 19 years old. Sharing just how much the country means to him, Harry said recently: “The beautiful mountain kingdom feels like a home away from home.

Harry arriving at a welcome event at Sentebale’s Mamohato Children’s Centre with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho
The duke greeted everyone with a warm smile
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“I was struck by the strength and courage of your people amidst the immense challenges they faced, and particularly the children,” he continued as he recalled his first visit. “Because of that experience, the people I met and what I was exposed to, two years later we created Sentebale.”

Shortly after Harry arrived in South Africa, the Prime Minister of Lesotho, Samuel Matekane honoured his arrival with a message on X, alongside photos with the Duke. He wrote: “I’m pleased to welcome Prince Harry back to Lesotho today. His commitment through Sentebale has been invaluable to our nation. As we celebrate 58 years of independence, I look forward to continued collaboration on youth empowerment and health.”

Prior to Harry’s South Africa tour and UK return, he jetted off to New York on a high-profile solo trip. “We have seen the old Harry again during recent events he’s attended in the UK and now in New York,” former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond exclusively told OK!

“He is brilliant with the people he meets, especially the children, and I think it shows the family back home that he is still determined to continue his kind of service without all the royal trappings. If he wants to use his platform to do good, then we should applaud him for it.”